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Cognitive effects of memantine in postmenopausal women at risk of dementia: a pilot study
Author(s) -
Wroolie T. E.,
Kenna H. A.,
Williams K. E.,
Powers B. N.,
Holcomb M.,
Lazzeroni L.,
Rasgon N. L.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2008.01084.x
Subject(s) - memantine , dementia , neuropsychology , verbal fluency test , cognition , psychology , population , risk factor , apolipoprotein e , clinical psychology , medicine , psychiatry , disease , environmental health
Background – To determine the effects of memantine on cognition in a normal population of postmenopausal women with putative risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) using a built‐in control for the genetic risk factor for AD (apoE‐ɛ4 status). Methods – A prospective, open‐label, 6‐month pilot medication trial with memantine and follow‐up after discontinuance conducted at the Center for Neuroscience in Women’s Health, Stanford University School of Medicine. Neuropsychological data were collected on 22 community‐dwelling postmenopausal women (11 apoE‐ɛ4 carriers and 11 apoE‐ɛ4 non‐carriers) with at least one putative risk factor for AD. Results – ApoE‐ɛ4 status was not a significant predictor of change in neuropsychological performance. Changes associated with memantine treatment for entire sample included significant declines in some variables associated with verbal learning and memory that improved upon medication withdrawal. A positive medication effect was noted with executive functions and possibly category fluency. Trend‐level improvements were seen in motor dexterity of the non‐dominant hand and maintained even after drug discontinuance. Conclusions – Treatment with memantine appeared to have differential effects on cognitive performance in a population of women with putative risk factors for AD. ApoE‐ɛ4 carrier status did not account for observed changes in cognition.